You asked, we answer!  A couple weeks back I posted on our Facebook page about old fashioned comfort foods for which our Moms need healthy alternatives.  There were lots of great suggestions- more to come- but for this week we’re making over Chicken Parmesean!

I know you’re a busy Mom and may not have much time to spend in the kitchen SO I’m giving you alternatives.

1.  You don’t have to make the sauce.  I LOVE Trader Joe’s Organic Tomato Basil Marinara and it has VERY little sugar in it (NONE added).

2.  We eat this over zucchini noodles using a hand-held veggie spiralizer.  You can also use baked spaghetti squash, black bean noodles or quinoa noodles- just watch portion sizes.  You can also do steamed broccoli, sauteed broccoli slaw or WHATEVER!

So here goes!!

Ingredients:

For Sauce (if you decide to make your own)

• 2 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2-28 oz  cans of pureed tomatoe
• 1-16 oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 2 teaspoons oregano
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup water

For the Chicken

• 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs (or breasts, but thighs are more traditional).  I like to pound my chicken flat.
• 1 1/2 cup almond flour
• 6 Tablespoons coconut oil
• 3 eggs beaten
• 2 Tablespoons butter or ghee
• 2 teaspoons onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

INSTRUCTIONS:

For the Sauce

1. Cook onions and garlic in oil until tender, about 5 minutes.
2. Add in the rest of the sauce ingredients, mix well and bring to a rolling boil then reduce heat to low and let simmer for 30 minutes. Cover after five minute to avoid a huge mess.

For the Chicken

1. Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat.
2. In a bowl, add all dry ingredients and mix well.
3. Dredge each piece of chicken first the dry mix, then eggs, then dry mix again. Carefully place each piece of chicken in the frying pan and fry until golden brown, or about 3 minutes each side. Remove the chicken from the pan, and set them aside. (You may want to slowly add the coconut oil rather than all at once to cook all chicken)
4. Pour your sauce into the frying pan and stir well with leftover crumbs.  Heat the sauce to a simmer, then add the chicken back into the pan on top of the sauce. Simmer for another 5 minutes, then cover and cook in your preheated oven for 10 minutes.
5. After 10 minutes remove the cover. If you want to add mozzarella slices of cheese this is the time to do it. Place one on each piece of chicken.
6. Cook uncovered for another 10 minutes.
7. Place chicken over your desired noodles with sauce and enjoy!!!!

Makes Approximately 4 servings.